MCEE releases final recommendations to evaluate Michigan educators

The report was issued this morning and included four models that districts could choose from to help evaluate their staff.

Wed, 24 Jul 2013 23:32:37 GMT —

A new evaluation system for tracking the effectiveness of Michigan public school teachers and administrators has been submitted to the state, and could mean change for some Michigan educators.

"The law has been in place that we're supposed to evaluate teachers based on data, and a lot of other criteria," said Kingsley Public Schools, Keith Smith. "This morning they released a 158 page report outlining their recommendations for which of the models we can use."

Smith says that he's been waiting on the recommendations from the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness since April 2012. The report was issued this morning and included four models that districts could choose from to help evaluate their staff. The models to choose from included Danielson's Framework for Teaching, Marzano Teacher Evaluation Model, The Thoughtful Classroom and the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning.

"The new models instead of just having the historical punitive what are people doing wrong aspect, these new research based really focus on opportunities and teachers to improve and grow," said Smith

"The evaluation process within TCAPS is similar to the proposal on the table at the state level," said Stephen Cousins, Superintendent for Traverse City Area Public Schools. "It focuses on improving instruction and increasing students learning and is not intended to be punitive."

The recommendations also include having multiple classroom observations during the school year where teachers would be evaluated on their teaching practices and student academic growth based on standardized tests. Teachers, district superintendents, principals, and assistant principals will be evaluated and rated either professional, provisional, or ineffective. Ineffective ratings for two consecutive years could result in dismissal.

"The concept of having workable evaluation systems recorded by professional learning and professional development that improves how well prepared we are to help our students prepare themselves for their future, is something that we're very much in support of," said Rick Trainor, Secretary Treasurer of Michigan Education Association.

The recommendations have been made to Governor Rick Snyder, some legislators and state education officials. Hearings on the system could begin this Summer if approved by the Legislature.